TR EMERITUS

Written by Our Correspondent An artiste of Jack Neo's entertainment group John Cheng aka "Ah Nan" had issued a public apology today in the two Chinese evening tabloids Lianhe Wanbao and Shin Min Daily for the offensive remarks he made about women a few weeks ago. In the aftermath of Jack Neo's press conference, "Ah Nan" allegedly told the media that it is "normal" for "men to play around with women" to defend his boss Jack's infidelity. Jack Neo was embroiled in a series of sex scandals lately when his affair with a 22 year old model Wendy Chong was leaked to the press. "Ah Nan"'s insensitive remarks were widely publicized in the media and sparked a massive outcry among Singapore women, many of whom condemned him for his remarks including feminist NGO AWARE. In an interview with both Wanbao and Shin Min today, "Ah Nan" offered his apologies to the women who had been offended by his remarks and reiterated that his words have been "quoted out of context". "Ah Nan"'s behavior contrasts that of two PAP MPs - Foreign Minister George Yeo and Marine Parade GRC MP Lim Biow Chuan who have yet to apologize for their callous remarks made about the Jack Neo affair. George Yeo wrote on his blog immediately after the scandal erupted to call on Singaporeans to "rally" around Jack Neo and his family. He praised Jack for "admitting his fault and accepting responsibility" for his actions and did not condemn his infidelity. In his interview with Shin Min Daily last week, Mr Lim insinuated that it is "unavoidable" for successful men like Jack Neo to have extramarital affairs: “Over the years, to me, Jack Neo is a good son, father and also a good husband. Since he is remorseful over this incident, he should be forgiven. Actually, a man who has good career development would find such scenarios unavoidable,” Mr Lim was quoted as saying. Mr Lim subsequently posted on his Facebook and STOMP claiming that he had been "misquoted" by the media. He has not made any further comments on the matter or retract his initial statements. On the other hand, George Yeo has flown off to Hong Kong for an official visit as if nothing has happened. His insensitive remarks caused a furore among netizens with many female bloggers lampooning him for it. One irate mother wrote on her blog: "George Yeo should lose his tongue instead. How can a Minister schooled in foreign diplomacy be quite so undiplomatic in this matter?” Both Mr Yeo and Mr Lim should take a leaf out of "Ah Nan"'s example - be a man, admit to what you have said and apologize instead of running away when confronted or hide in one corner and act blur like sissies.  Read More →

Background: Below is reply from PAP MP Lim Biow Chuan to a female netizen Jessica Tan who posted on his Facebook questioning his remarks made in Shin Min Daily last week on the Jack Neo scandal. MP Lim was quoted as saying: “Over the years, to me, Jack Neo is a good son, father and also a good husband. Since he is remorseful over this incident, he should be forgiven. Actually, a man who has good career development would find such scenarios unavoidable,”  His comments sparked a massive outcry in cyberspace, prompting him to post a clarification on his Facebook and STOMP a day later that he had been "misquoted" by the journalist ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Subject: MP Lim BC's reply on JN's affair Lim Bc    March 16 at 12:07am Thanks Jessica for writing to me. Please allow me to clarify. My remarks were misquoted by the reporter from Shin Min. For your information, the interview was done by the reporter in Mandarin and I replied part in Mandarin and part in English (as my Mandarin was not very good). It started with the reporter asking whether I think Jack Neo ought to be forgiven. My reply was that it was not my business but if he had apologised to the wife and his wife had forgiven him, the rest of us should also forgive. The intention was to be pro-family and promote reconciliation and forgiveness. The reporter next asked me what was my impression of Jack Neo. My reply was that I don't know him personally but I have heard that he was a good father, a filial son and a good husband. The reporter did not quote the full remarks that I made during the interview. In all likelihood, the reporter did not get the essence of what I said or misunderstood my Mandarin. Her question to me in Mandarin was whether I thought that a man with such good career development would find such a scenario unavoidable. I repeated her question in Mandarin; and replied in part Mandarin and English that if a person who had attain such a good career with such status and influence had succumbed to temptation, it is so sad and pitiful (hanyu pinyin is 'kexi'). I have spoken to her to clarify since and Shin Min had also carried another report with my full remarks stated on 9 March 2010. I do not agree with the behaviour of Mr Jack Neo and am of the view that it is clearly wrong. However, as a Christian leader and an MP, I do not feel that we should simply condemn the man for his misconduct. If he has acknowledged that he had erred in his ways and is prepared to change, we should do what we can to promote healing and reconciliation amongst all the parties involved. For the family to break up because of the affair, it would hurt his wife and children as much as it would hurt Mr Jack Neo. At the time when I made the 1st comment, I did not know that the circumstances would become so complicating as the report only said that Jack Neo had an affair with his colleague and that his wife had forgiven him. Lim Biow Chuan [Source: Lim Biow Chuan's Facebook]  Read More →

By Yoong Siew Wah Can you imagine anything more clownish than a deputy prime minister snoozing away during a speech by his fellow- DPM Wong Kan Seng in Parliament? DPM Teo Chee Hean was caught by camera. We have just witnessed a clownish spectacle of the minister and secretary- general of the NTUC who said in Parliament that he was deaf to the criticisms of an opposition MP and we are now presented with the comical spectacle of a deputy prime minister snoozzing while Parliament was in session. If Mr. Wong Kan Seng's discourse can induce somnolence in Mr. Teo Chee Hean, he can certainly apply for a patent for insomnia cure. DPM Teo Chee Hean has been given wide publicity as the man of the moment appointed by the Prime Minister to improve national productivity. With his somnolent performance in Parliament, do Singaporeans really believe that he has the right credentials for the important task. When he can snooze off during a Parliamentary session, what is there to give the public the confidence that he will stay alert in his productivity job. As he is also the Defence Minister, is he setting a good example to his soldiers? If any soldier is caught sleeping on his job, how is he going to discipline the soldier? There will definitely be double standards in punishment meted out to the offending soldier. It may be argued that there may be extenuating circumstances in DPM Teo's case, as some ministers and government MPs found sleeping during Parliamentary sessions is sometimes a common sight, but a deputy prime minister is not a ordinary mortal. He is next in line to the prime minister and acts for the latter in his absence. Can you imagine the prime minister being caught snoozing in Parliament? There will be mayhem which will lead to further deterioration of confidence in the government. Maybe in the eyes of the government DPM Teo Chee Hean is a minister of sterling character. With his fat obscene pay of $3 million a year he is expected to give a sterling performance rather than be caught sleeping on the job. He is in charge of our Army, Navy and Air Force and these forces look up to him for sterling leadership. Good leaders learn from their mistakes and improve on them. Let us hope that DPM will learn from his experience. We may not see the end of such comic operas. It may be appropriate to conclude with a famous saying of the Chinese philosopher Confucius: I do not wish to see it any more. (wu bu yu guan zhi yi)   About the Author: Mr Yoong is the former director of Singapore’s Internal Security Department from 1971 – 1974. He blogs here  Read More →